Sanding Techniques

You can easily change the look of patterned paper, cardstock, photos, chipboard, metal and pre-made embellishments using simple sanding techniques. Sanding creates the distressed look of wear and tear that is very popular today. Sanding can be achieved using sandpaper, a wire brush, steel wool, a sanding block or even an emery board. Just rub the material's edges or surface to wear it away.

If using sandpaper, the grain of the sandpaper will affect the result. Fine grain sandpaper will gently distress the surface of your material. A coarse grain will provide a more "scratchy" look. You can sand as little or as much as you want. Also, you can sand in one direction, in opposite directions to get a cross-hatch look or even in a circular motion to create a totally different look. Have fun experimenting. Just be careful not to sand too much or you might cause the material to tear. When you are finished sanding always remember to wipe away any residue.

What you need to get started:

• sandpaper
• wire brush
• steel wool
• sanding block
• nail buffer
• emery board
• material you wish to sand

Making Memories Distressing Kit pictured here includes: Sanding block with three grits, Steel wool (2 pads), Emery board (3 boards each with different grit), Stipple brush, Foam brushes 1" & 2" wide, Chalk -(3 colors), Ink sponges (3 colors), Exclusive edge scraper, Bone folder, Aging dye (2 single-use pouches), Paint comb, Pounce wheel, Chalk brushes (3), Sandpaper (3 sheets--1 each of fine, medium and coarse grit).

What can you sand?

• photos
• patterned paper
• cardstock
• stickers
• chipboard
• metal
• any pre-made embellishment

Techniques to try:

• Sanding the edges of photos creates a fun edgy border and removes the color from the photos.
  
  
  

• Crumpling and sanding patterned paper reveals the white core (if it has a white core).
  
  
  

• Sand a glossy or pre-made embellishment to tone it down.

• Sand metal or chipboard to give it that shabby worn look.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Give paper stickers a vintage look by sanding them.

• Soften the brightness of a bold sticker by sanding the color away slightly.

• Use an emery board to sand small areas of chipboard shapes, such as flowers and stars.

• If you love a particular sticker but not its color, simply sand away the original color and use a marker to make it the color you desire.

The sanding technique works well on all types of layouts, particularly beach, sports and heritage pages. So, the next time you go through your supplies and are about to toss something, try sanding it. You just may be able to use it.